I used to own (2) Roscoes which were 35" scale. I didn't find any real difference to be concerned about. Now I'm back to 34" because thats the way these brands are made. .
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How many 35 Scale basses?
- Thread starter ODDBALL
- Start date
Half of mine are 34" scale, half are 35" - no real big difference between them for me - the width at the nut and at the bridge are more critical for my hands.
Dan K.
Dan K.
I have five 34" scale basses, one 35" one, and one with an 18" scale. I alternate between them without problem, and also alternate between guitars with a 24.75" scale and ones with a 25.50" scale. It's simply a matter of paying attention and not letting your mind tell you the difference is a problem.
I took a little while to get use to the 35" 5-string, but after a few days of focusing on that bass it was OK. The 18" scale Ashbory is more of a problem for two main reasons. One, I just don't play it very often, and second, because the body doesn't balance well at all so I also have to keep my hand in a position so the instrument doesn't move much.
Just play and it'll be alright. But play with proper technique to minimize hand problems, and play with the mindset that you can do it. Don't wimp out.
John
I took a little while to get use to the 35" 5-string, but after a few days of focusing on that bass it was OK. The 18" scale Ashbory is more of a problem for two main reasons. One, I just don't play it very often, and second, because the body doesn't balance well at all so I also have to keep my hand in a position so the instrument doesn't move much.
Just play and it'll be alright. But play with proper technique to minimize hand problems, and play with the mindset that you can do it. Don't wimp out.
John
The only difference I ever really noticed was in sound. My fretless 5 is 35" and the B is much improved. My fretted 5 and all my 4s are 34".
I have reasonably big mitts, so unless I'm really stretching for something I don't really notice, but the low B is much tighter and the open strings sound much more open on a 35" to my ear.
I have reasonably big mitts, so unless I'm really stretching for something I don't really notice, but the low B is much tighter and the open strings sound much more open on a 35" to my ear.
- Feb 27, 2005
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- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
I've got a 30", 3 34s, and one 35". I didn't even notice that it was a 35 until someone on TB pointed it out to me.
I suppose some people are more sensitive to scale than others, but I've got pretty average-sized hands, and I still don't notice except when I'm changing strings.
I suppose some people are more sensitive to scale than others, but I've got pretty average-sized hands, and I still don't notice except when I'm changing strings.
my 5 string is a 35 scale and my four string basses are 34 scale and I really don't notice a difference . I find it harder going from a four string to a five string.
I am sure if I spend enough time on it the 35 scale will not bother me. Thanks for all the replies it was great hearing all your input.
Shaun
Shaun
Four 35" and three 34" of my electrics. All the 35"s are 5-strings, the 34" are 4-strings - I didn't plan it, it just happened to work out that way. All my 5s (Spectors and a Mike Lull) are pretty comfortable ergonomically and are designed with the bridge near the back of the bodies, so there's very little problem with "reach" for me except in the case of one old song I still practice which is 3/4ths in F so I'm spending 3+ minutes of a 4:24 song in First Position playing a wonky hammer-on/pull-off riff. 
As for fretless, my first "Good" fretless was 35" as well, so I've grown up as a player in that scale length and getting my 35" Spector was hardly a big deal. Any issues intonating down low is mitigated but the sheer tone it has, and I may pick up a FretFX LED kit to give a bit of help in that area.
As for fretless, my first "Good" fretless was 35" as well, so I've grown up as a player in that scale length and getting my 35" Spector was hardly a big deal. Any issues intonating down low is mitigated but the sheer tone it has, and I may pick up a FretFX LED kit to give a bit of help in that area.
I have always thought the Bongo 5 was the bass that felt the best to me. I have thought about trading my Lakland for a Bongo.
Shaun
Shaun
I have been doing some thinking on trading my Lakland for a Bongo 5 Stealth for a bit now. I use to own one and loved it. I thought that bass felt right at home. What do u guys think?
Doesn't matter what we think really. Sounds like you have already answered your own question.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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violin, guitar, and basses with 30", 34", 35", and 42" (upright) scale lengths all seem fine to me. The funny thing is---it seems like all it takes is practice--maybe it's just me? 
Been using Lakland 5s almost exclusively for eight years. Took me maybe a week to get used to that extra inch. Now any other neck feels teeny. It's major shock when I play my Hofner Icon.
I just played my first ever gig using the 35in 55-02 i just bought. Before that I only used my SR5 34" . I didnt even notice a difference. I was able to play with great accuracy and it sounded great. I would give it more time. Of course if your hands are small you might not ever over come it.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
I have found 34" scale basses to be fatter sounding on the D G strings as well. No question. The trade off for a better B is not worth it in my opinion as there are better 34's now than before. Just my preference.
I DO feel a difference in scale, especially on the first 5 frets and I don't dig it anymore. Had to sell my MTD for that reason alone after picking up a Fender V on a whim and realizing I was MUCH more comfortable on it.
However my 35" scale Cort with 24 frets and a very fast neck seems less a factor than my MTD was, and I'm not sure why.
I DO feel a difference in scale, especially on the first 5 frets and I don't dig it anymore. Had to sell my MTD for that reason alone after picking up a Fender V on a whim and realizing I was MUCH more comfortable on it.
However my 35" scale Cort with 24 frets and a very fast neck seems less a factor than my MTD was, and I'm not sure why.
If D & G strings sound fatter then I am certain that can be achieved on a 35" using EQ
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
Your point has merit, but also consider the fact that EQ'ing also affects the thickness of the B and E string. In the case of the basses I have played, that kind of EQ'ing would actually just create other issues.
The dynamics of string vibration and the width of the path over the pickup is not something you can address totally with an EQ. Otherwise we would all be happily playing 34" scale basses with special EQ's just for the loose B string?
The dynamics of string vibration and the width of the path over the pickup is not something you can address totally with an EQ. Otherwise we would all be happily playing 34" scale basses with special EQ's just for the loose B string?
